All eight were also charged with Class C Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine.

For the past three months, agents assigned to the Western District Task Force Office of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency conducted an investigation into the manufacturing and distribution of Methamphetamine throughout Oxford County. The investigation revealed an organized group of individuals who routinely purchased components used to manufacture Methamphetamine. The group was systematic in their methods of acquiring many of the components, particularly Pseudoephedrine, a common cold decongestant essential to the manufacturing process. The Methamphetamine produced was then sold throughout Oxford County.

This morning agents with the assistance of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department, Oxford Police Department, Maine State police secured residences in Oxford, Greenwood, Albany, Gilead and Mason Township pending the execution of search warrants. A total of six search warrants were executed throughout the day to include one of a vehicle belonging to Rodney Levesque. This vehicle along with two residences in Mason Township and Gilead required the use of the Maine Drug Enforcement Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team (CDLET).

Due to the extremely toxic and explosive nature of Methamphetamine manufacturing, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Clandestine Drug Laboratory Enforcement Team (CDLET) was activated and responded in order to safely dismantle and seize the clandestine laboratories.

Specially trained agents from around the state along with two State of Maine Chemists, utilizing specialized equipment and protective gear dismantled five “One Pot” laboratories in the vehicle and residences. They also retained samples of the laboratories for criminal prosecution in the future. Assisting MDEA CDLET were specially trained members of the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s Clandestine Laboratory Team. The State’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) assisted in the safe disposal of the hazardous waste products related to the laboratories.

All eight arrests were transported to and are presently being held at the Oxford County Jail. Bail has been set at $100,000 dollars, Surety or $75,000 dollars cash for David Thompson. Bail was set at $75,000 dollars, Surety or $50,000 dollars cash for the other seven. Hart is also being held on a Probation violation.

These arrests and search warrants have dismantled an organized group responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of Methamphetamine throughout Oxford County. Similar investigations are ongoing and additional arrests are expected.